Automatic collapsing wheel elevating device



Aug. 9, 1932. M C, PIERCE ,87,129

AUTOMATIC COLLAPSING WHEEL ELEVATING DEVICE Filed June 2l, 1927Patented` Aug. 9, 1932 NT @FFME l 'A "MAUMCE dPIEEcE; or mnmsonwrsconsinAUTOMATIC coLLnPsINe WHEEL 'ELEVATING- DEVICE My invention relates tonew and improved devices for the combined purposes of automaticallyreceiving, elevating,l advancing, transferring, holding and lowering ofweight 'ii bearing wheels, such devices possessing utilitarian and laborandtime saving qualities.

It is apparent that, until the present time, the onlydependable anduniversally adopted device for lifting the wheels of heavy vehicles l)while on the road, is the lifting jack.4 I am aware that certain otherdevices involving levers, eccentrics, inclined planes, etc., have beeninvented and may Vbein operation `in garages and under certainl givenconditions, l5 but such devices are Veither too large and heavy to beconveniently stored in a small space in automobiles -or they are notuniversally successful under all conditions and.

circumstances'. 1

As regards lifting jacks, it would he diflicult to describe in detailall ofthe disadvantages and disagreeable annoyances accom-A panyingtheir operation.V Among various objections the following may, however,be 25 mentioned.

greasy andsoils the hands and clothing. It necessitates hard andtime-wasting labor under the most awkward circumstances, particularly inconnection with elevating the 30 backwheels of automobiles and motortrucks, since gasoline tanks, springs, fenders, etc., prevent easyaccess to the ack axle. The jack must, furthermore, usually be held withone or both hands for proper placement andupright position until itsoperation has continued sufficiently to wedge'it rmly between the axleand the ground; Thisis especially 'l the case when working on rough orhilly sur# faces, on sandy, muddy, or snow covered earth, or on softground, since the base of the jack has a tendency to throw' the deviceolf the perpendicular-andto press unevenly into the earth. Y f

in a. majority of ,cases the jack operator must eitner kneel, crawl orlie flaton the ground in order to approach his Awork and' this islruin'ous to line clothing, especially when the ground is wet,muddy, ordusty or when working 1n garageshaving olly or oth' Thejack is usuallydirty and e'rwisedirty lioors. Even' when overalls or .application ineaaune 21', 1927,. serial no. ecosse.-

other suitable working clothes are at hand, the changing into` and fromthem causes an additional loss of time andv is particularlyimpracticable for women operators.. M

Tender `hands become' sorel and blistered and gloves, if used, areinstantly ruined.

In rainy, snowy, or excessively hot or'freez.- ing weather theinconvenience of the jack operator isgreat'ly increased throughdrenching from rain or perspiration or through suffering from Lfrozenhands. l v t Still anotherdificulty, kresulting in-Tin'-v creased lossof time,has beenadded by the almost universal adoption of balloontireswhich require ainuch greater wheel elevation than formerly was the casewith thesmaller ones.A

Also, in the use of' oversized doughnutv tires, suchas are vcoming intoextensive'use on airplanes, ,with the probability [of being widelyadapted to motor vehicles, with the collapse of the tire, the'aXle willlpractically lower on the supporting'g'roun'd surface so as to precludethe use of an ordinary jack."V

Obviously, my invention will'find particularly valuable app licationsfor use in connectionwith motor vehicles equipped with tiresv of thischaracter.

The object ofmy invention-is tofobvia-te" the above and otherdisadvantages and inconveniences and t o vsalve time and ,manuali laborthrough providing a device whi'chfwillbe simple in constructionk andoperation, sure and reliable under all conditions, small insize,`liglflt in weight, clean to handle, comall a practical pact,inexpensive', durable, andin fact,A with every 'day device which willelevate, hold in elevation, and lower atywill only, the wheels ofvehicles through the utif lization of theV vehicles own motive power;

ground surface dinary ack.

Pre'elldng the as@ eine With these and other objects in view which maybe incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts andcombinations tobe hereinafter set forth and claimed, with theunderstanding that theV several necessary elements comprising myinvention may be varied in construction, proportions andarrangement,without departing from the spirit andscope of the appendedclaims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have showninthe accom- A' panying drawing means forcarrying the p same intopractical effect,without limitingthe improvements in their usefulapplications to the particular constructions which, for the purposeofexplanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

' In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side view. of

my' novel automatic collapsing wheel` elevat-y The inclined plane member1, is shownasV composed ofv a sectionof channeled steel with tremityofthe elevated track member is bentV the plane to form a frictionVapproaching apron ,to the plane.

` ing vacuum cup rubber or other suitable nonskid material`V attached toits bottom 8, is connected tothe under side of the plane through apivotal attachment 9.

The elevated track member l0, is likewise composed ofasection ofchanneled steel, al-l though somewhat wider than that which composes theinclined plane,and its end which connectsk with theplane is similarlycutto` provide rounded extensions 11, to connect with the pivotf4'. Theopposite or free exupward VAto form a bumper or stopper 12. rI he stop12acts -as an indicator to advise an operatorY that the wheel ofthe'vehicle is elevated onY the Vdevice toisuch a vdistance Vthat efurther movement of thefvehicle may be cony i trlolledand discontinuedat any desired'point.

'A combinedsupport forboth the plane and theelcvated track is providedby means of a forwardly .inclined pivotal ieg 13, with aa An pproa'chingfriction ,apronlbaser7, havextended and wide chisel edgedbase 14. 'Ihevacuum cupped rubber, or other suitable known non-skidding materialadapted4 to the bottom 8 of the apron base 7 and the chisel edged base14 on thepivotal leg 13, provide for a desirable slow collapsing of thedevice when the tension member 23 (to be later described) is released.The top end. ofY thisv support is 'cut in a suitabley angular manner 15,and is attached with a pivot bolt 16, to the 'elevated track member ator near the latters point of connection with the plane.

The provision of this middle support is necessary ,for the elevatingofvery heavy vehicles,'l such as automobile busses and trucks, but mightbe eliminated when the device 4is ldesigned specially' for vlightpassenger cars without materially altering my invention.

The pivotal arrangement connecting the plane and the track would in thelatter event be slightly alteredfor increased strength.

To the underl side ofthe elevated track memberland at or near its freeupturned extremity is attached a secondV forwardly inclined support 17,having a wide, extended and chisel edged base 18, its upper extremitybeing cut at a suitable angle and pivotally connected by means of aswing bolt v19. The

, supports 13 and 17, together with the trans? verseextension of thethin wide chisel edged bases 14 and 18, insure the device againstlongitudinalmovement and toppling laterally when the vehicle wheel Aissupported thereon.

A tension or spacer member 20, is provided and connects pivotally withthe two supporting legs at or near their respective bases lby means ofswing bolts 21, and 22. The climinati'on of thefmiddle support wouldobviate the necessity for this tension member.

A second vtension or spacer member 23, isY swingingly attached Vto theunder side of the inclined plane nearthe latters base 24, and fits atits opposite extremity -onto a. projecting pin bolt 25, firmly insertedvin the middlesupJ port 1 3, near the latters base. I tension member isprovided ywith a knob 26,

suitable for striking with a Vhammer for unlocking purposes and further'with an attachedsmall chain and handle 27, likewiseV for unlockingpurposes. l Y

f Incase the middle support were to be elimi-. nated this lattertension' member 23 might be lengthened so as'to'conne'ct and lock ontothe second or outer leg17 and could berfiexible instead of rigid withoutmaterially altering;

my invention.

"Preliminary to describing'the manipulation of my device in vconnectionwith its actual lifting operation, I desireto call attentionto itsvcomplete `collapsibility feature designed for compact storage purposes.

It will be observed that, by freeing from rthe bolt pin the vfasteningtension member 23 which connects the bases of the inclined plane y. andmiddle supportf'l, the device will iin- This second 1 riesame' mediatelyfallflat on'the ground. Y This fall-1 ingflat on the; groundis fortunaterinfthatit assists lin. and nearly accomplishes ithe coinpletecollapsing, storage purposes;

All that is required t'o completelyfold the d-evice for storage is topivot-theinclined Y,plane member upwarduntil it swings-down fon'to aresting-position on the top of the run- W waymember. YIt is,then,in2this compa'ct'and spaceeconomizing'form thatmv device will befound when wanted for use. The extremely siinple opera-tion of vice maybe described as follows Presuiningthat anV lautomobile while'= on theroad or in the garage is'observed toirequire acliang'eof wheel orthatone orinoreof the wheels must be lifted free frointhe ground for anyotherlreason; inyrdeviee will'th'enbe removed from 'its storage spaceAwit-hin 'the car. swingingthe inclined plane member downwardandslipping the aperture-near thev free-` extremity ofthe tensionmember'on to the mounted the inclined plane and' has come to rest on theupper `surfaceo'f Vthe elevated track. The wheel has Vthus been :liftedin an instant and without physical effort.

vAt this point it may beidesirableto' set= the emergency brake ofthe canIn order to absolutely insurel the success mi of theabcve mentionedelevation operation,

it is well toobserve the following slightpre-v cautionsstraight forwardinee-Xactlinewith'the body 41.51. ofthe automobile. j Y f Second, mydevice, as previously stated, should be placed exactly straightgin the.path ofthe wheel te be lifted. c Y i fllhird, the ca r should bedrivenpreferably 59T sion/'ly forward and in an exact straight line.Fourth, brakes should be applied-as soon as the wheel has rolled pastthe apexof the inclined plane. Y

rlhe overwhelming advantages of this type "55" of elevating as comparedwith' the employ-V inent of lifting jacks will-ibe'realized asa resultof the foregoing description, butthe realization becomesA all theme-restriking when one reflects upon the: e'nornious'weights z5@ tobe'liftedwhen elevatingwheels ofrloadedr Y busses,trucls, etc. 1

In as much as the ultiigiiate object of the abovetlescribed4operationlis to leavethe elevated wheel freely suspended above the '55lground, it is apparent that an@ auxiliary hold--V so ydesirable fort:compact lt will instantly Ibe made ready byY er'or. supportion to whichthe lifted weight,

isV transferred must accompany vmy device. Such: holder must obviouslybeplacedin supporting position between the v ground and some substantialpart of the vehicle nearfthe lifted wheel.

lt is notinyintention at this'tinie'to'irecommend or prescribe anyparticular kind of support, automatic or otherwise,- with which toholdthe axle in abnormal elevation. It in'ayib'e esseiitialand at thesaine time suflicientthatl pointrout the existence of sufficientsupports for'this purpose. ln asmuch as the lifting ack is adjustableand designed to. bear-"heavy --weights, it' may, for instance,

be used asa holder after the worl'of lifting hasV been performedbytliefca'r with the aid' of'niy device. i l

Assuniin then'that a 'ack or other su port, has'been` paced undertheelevated endV ofthe axle and has been adjusted to properA height, thereis only one slight, action requiredto complete the suspending operation.

rllhis action consists in .grasping thelliandle Y at the free end ofthechain' attachedto the tensionineinber 23 engagin'gextremity andimparting an outward jerlrto the latter'. A slight outward blowimpartedto the knob Vwill also:accomplisli'the same purpose..v Theimmediate*result is thatthe Vfree endof the tensionmeniber slips 0E fromvthe projecting bolt pin and the device falls-to theground leaving theelevated wheel freely'suspended inithe air. 1 y A i y After achangeofwheel ortirev or necessary repairs have been completed, the loweringtothe ground of the suspended wheelfis Y in order. This may besiinplyandinstantly accomplished in'one of many ways,allwithoutpliysical effort'. `Settingaside, however, all otherpossibilities the following description willexplainhow my invention maybe First,- the front wheels shouldl pointl the-same'manner ofemployment.

It will aOain be set in o eratin Yositi'on e g ere-1 ieri its

lic

inthe lpath ofthe elevated wheel,but vthis timelonthe opposite orreverseside thereof? andwedged tightly betw-een the latter and the ground. Thecaristhen driven slowly in irs the opposite directionffrommthat ofthefirstobtaining servi'ceability and reliability `under all conditions.-vThe following- :features are pos:

emphasized' because they are Hbelieved to sess *outstandingA uniqueutility. Y

- Theposition and outward diagonal slant of theY supporting legshavegiven the best re- 1 of the second leg support at the free end ofthe elevated track has,l been found to'be the best guard against thepossible topplingover forward of the device when the advancing wheelbumps against the upturned stopper.

The forwardly inclined slant of the supporting legs holds their non-skidbases in the best position for securely gripping loose and insecureground surfaces.

The diagonal cut of the upper or connecting end of the second legtogether with the position of its pivot affords a most suitable rest forthe track, and offers a most effective resistance against Vswingingbackward when under pressure of anadvancing wheel, yet permits easyforward pivoting when desired..

Thedouble angular cut of the upper or conf necting end of the middleYleg 13 together with the position of its pivot presents a most suitablerest for the connecting extremities of both the inclined plane and ltheelevated track, assists in holding the leg in its intendedy angleposition without 'fear ofv back swing when underpressure of an advancingwheel,

and gives support to both elevated members when subjected to, theheaviest weights, yet permits easy forward pivoting when desired forcollapsing.

The results obtained with tension holding members vhave justified theiremployment in preference to other kinds, quite asidel from the principlethat any member subjected to pull may be very light in proportion toits' holding capacity. As employed with my de-v vice, they, veryfortunately, hold the various bases firmlyk in position and assist mosteffi-y ciently in forming a solidly braced frame capable of receivingand supporting theheaviest weights.l

Another fortunate and perhaps novel .fea-v ture is the locking devicewhich is not only ,Y strong, reliable7 quick, and simple inoperation,but absolutely necessitates that the hand of the operator be-well clear ofthe device when thelatter falls tothe ground. This ishighly desirableand Vcomes as a result of the outwardly directed jerk orblow imparted to the fastening member atV itsV lockingv extremity.

It is apparent that the successfulopera'-` *tion of my device is muchdependent on its non-skidding and nonslipping features, namely, thefriction surface of theinclined plane and the three different groundgrips applied toits bases, and in addition thereto the approachingfriction apron. Experiments have shown me ythe necessity of com -lbining groundfgripsV of thesel sorts Vas an absolute guarantee againstcircumstances of hard and soft, sem1-hard4andsemi-softsurfaces and asagainst rough and smooth surfaces'as for instance, concrete, asphalt,-brick, sand, mud, snow, ice, wood, macadam, dirt, stones, rocks, sod,hills, holes, ruts, slopes, etc., and in addition thereto it-wasvfoundnecessary to considertheeffects of water and oil on all surfaces. V

A knowledge of lifting jacks together with my experiments with thedevice above de- A scribed `have shown the necessity for large surfacedbases to accompany lifting devices which may be used on soft ground as apreventionv againstV their sinking into the earth.

Y My device has therefore'been provided with Vslightest weight yhad-been transferred onto its upper surface. The plane bumped away from thewheel, so to speak. To prevent this occurrence, I supplied the planewith its approaching apron which extendsouft onto the ground so flatlythat no wheel will refuse to roll:v ontoit. The weight of the wheelhaving been actuallytransferred to' an attachedpart` of the. plane, theresult is that the-.plane is caught, as it were, and held in position'until the weight is actually pressed, in turn, down# ward on theupper'surface of the plane itself. This was found sufficient underordinaryvcirycumstances to hold the plane fast to the road as theoperation continued. Y r

. Experiments' on slippery concrete and asphalt soon proved however,that'a'pla'ne of any appreciable ascent wouldrefuse entirely to acceptan advancing wheel no matter Vhow slowly it was rolled forward. Thisnecessitated the adoption of the vacuum cup bottom to the vbase of theplane as the mostcertain means of preventing skidding on smooth, hardsurfaces. I

Experimentson soft dirt, sand', snow,ice, etc., showed the necessity.lfor still vanother kind ofground surface grip and consequent- ,ly thebroad extending chisel edged bases pose and may havea` claim to noveltyin a vdevice ofexactly this kind-,although l rec`- ognize in it aVvery-:old method of vstopping an advancing wheel.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a device for the purpose set forth, two channeled members havingtheir ends pivotally connected, one designed to be arrangedhorizontally` and the other at an angle, the lower end of the anglemember being cut ldiagonally and having pivotally secured thereto andextending therebeyond a base plate, a friction surface on the under faceof the base plate, a support pivoted to the under face of the horizontalmember and having its ends cut angularly to underlie both the horizontaland the angle members and having its lower end widened and formed with asharpened extension, a second angularly disposed support pivoted beneaththe outer end of the horizontal member and having its outer end widenedand sharpened and removable tension bars between the supports and theangle channel member, for the purpose set forth.

2. A foldable and collapsible device for the purpose set forth,comprising a channeled member designed to provide a track or runway andhaving one end rounded to form a stop, a second channeled memberdesigned to be arranged at a downward inclination from the lirstmentioned member and being pivoted to the straight end thereof, saidsecond channeled member having a friction stripfixed on its inner faceand extending from the outer end thereof, and its said outer end cutdiagonnally, a base pivotally secured to and supporting the outer end ofthe said second channel Amember and projecting therebeyond and receivingthe friction strip thereof, said base having its under faceprovided witha friction surface, a forwardly inclined intermediate support pivoted tothe flanges of the first mentioned channeled member and having its endcut at opposite angles to underlie this member and the second channeledmember, Y said support having its lower end widened v and formed with asharpened tooth, a second forwardly inclined outer support pivotallysecured between the flanges of the runway and contacting with the basethereof, said outer support having its lower end widened and toothed, atension brace removably pivoted to the supports, a second notched memberpivotally secured to the inclined channel member, a headed pin on theintermediate support to receive the notch of said member therein and apull chain on the free end of the said member. Y

3. A device for elevating a wheel on moveconnected to the raising meansto facilitate mounting of the wheel thereommeans toprevent longitudinalmovement, means associated with the raising means tomai'ntain the wheelelevated, and means on the raising means to indicate thereon. Y

6. A device for-elevating a wheel on movement thereof, comprising meansto raise a the elevation of the vehicle I i Y85 wheel to an elevatedhorizontal plane, means f connected to the raising-means to facilitatemounting the wheel thereon, means to prevent longitudinal movement,means associated with the raising means to maintain the wheel elevated,means to collapse the device with the wheel elevated thereon, and meansassociated with the device-to retardV collapsing thereof.V n

' kA device for elevating a wheel on movement thereof,y comprising meansto raise a wheel to an elevated horizontal plane, means connected to theraising means to facilitateV mounting of the wheel thereon, means toprevent longitudinal movement, and means associated with the raisingmeans to maintain the wheel elevated, the wheel elevating means beingmounted against lateral tipping or toppling movement. Y n

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

MAURICE C. PIERCE.

inent'thereof comprising Vmeans to raise a wheel to an elevatedhorizontal plane, means v connected to one end ofthe raising means tofacilitate mounting of the wheel thereon, means associated with the sameend to prevent longitudinal movement, and means associated with theraising means to maintain the wheel elevated.

4c. A device for elevating a wheel on move-

